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Tag: Stakeholders

  • Stakeholders urge Nigerian universities to introduce gerontology, geriatrics courses

    Stakeholders urge Nigerian universities to introduce gerontology, geriatrics courses

    Traditional leaders, health professionals, and academics have called for the introduction of gerontology and geriatrics as standalone courses in Nigerian universities to address the growing care needs of senior citizens.

    The stakeholders made the appeal on Thursday in Ibadan at a programme organised by the University of Third Age Nigeria, themed “Educational gerontology in Africa now and in the future: Domiciling gerontology as a course of study in Nigerian/African universities.”

    They stressed that the absence of formal training in gerontology has contributed to Nigeria’s inadequate manpower and poor geriatric care system.

    The event, held at the Secretariat in Ibadan, was attended by notable personalities, including the Abese Olubadan of Ibadanland, Senior Chief Lekan Alabi; Professor Francois Vellas; Professor Sidicd Camara; and the institution’s President, Professor Afolabi Israel.

    Speaking at the gathering, medical doctor Olamiji Ajanaku lamented the shortage of geriatric centres in the country, noting that existing facilities are insufficient to meet the needs of Nigeria’s ageing population.

    “We don’t have enough geriatric centres in Nigeria. We are neglecting older people who have contributed so much to this country. We need to integrate gerontology and geriatric care into our educational institutions to ensure adequate care for the elderly,” she said.

    She also encouraged academics and professionals to promote respect for older persons, describing them as a valuable source of knowledge and wisdom rather than viewing them as irrelevant.

    Similarly, Professor Oluwafemi Esan, a Professor of Transpersonal Psychology and Education at El-Roi London University, emphasized that ageing does not diminish relevance.

    “Older people hold the knowledge of the past. They are custodians of wisdom and remain essential to society,” he said.

    Professor Afolabi Israel, President of the University of Third Age Nigeria, noted that many elderly Nigerians suffer due to the lack of trained caregivers. He said the programme was organised to push for the formal adoption of gerontology and geriatrics as academic disciplines in Nigeria and across Africa.

    “We want gerontology and geriatric care to become established courses in our universities, just like Nursing and Medicine. This will expand career opportunities and improve care for our ageing population,” he added.

  • Stakeholders seek inclusion of whole grains in national nutrition policies

    Stakeholders seek inclusion of whole grains in national nutrition policies

    Some stakeholders have called for the integration of whole grains into national nutrition policies in order to improve product quality to meet consumer preferences.

    According to them, the policies should also strengthen market linkages and scale adoption across school feeding and institutional markets through targeted social behaviour change campaigns.

    The stakeholders made the call during the dissemination workshop and press briefing on Nigeria’s first large-scale social marketing research to understand barriers to and increase consumption of fortified whole grains in the country.

    The workshop was organised by Fortified Whole Grain Alliance (FWGA), in collaboration with TechnoServe Nigeria in Abuja.

    The workshop marked a critical step towards embedding whole grain adoption into Nigeria’s food policies, school feeding programmes, and institutional markets.

    Speaking at the event, Country Director, TechnoServe Nigeria, Adesuwa Akinboro, emphasized the importance of evidence-driven policy reform.

    Akinboro said, “This research helps us understand not just what Nigerians eat, but why. By grounding decisions in real consumer insights, we can build policies and markets that make nutritious whole grain products accessible to every household.”

    Also speaking, Managing Director, Fortified Whole Grain Alliance, David Kamau, emphasized the organisation’s commitment to providing catalytic support to transforming the food ecosystem.

    Kamau said, “What we have in front of us today is more than research; it’s a roadmap. It shows where the system is working, where it’s stalling, and what it will take to make whole-grains an everyday reality.

    “FWGA remains committed to turning these insights into coordinated action with government, millers, and market actors so Nigerians can access products that are nutritious, trusted, and consistently available.

    “If we want consumption to change, the system around the consumer must change first, and introducing whole grains in school meals supported by an appropriate behaviour change campaign is a critical step towards addressing the triple burden of malnutrition.”

    The workshop gathered representatives from key government bodies, including the Federal Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Education, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.

    There were also representatives from state ministries of Education, Budget and Planning, Health, and the National Association of Private Schools Proprietors from Kano and Ogun states.

  • Stakeholders call for end to stigma against persons with psychosocial disabilities

    Stakeholders call for end to stigma against persons with psychosocial disabilities

    Stakeholders in the mental health sector have renewed calls for increased awareness, strengthened support systems and the elimination of stigma faced by persons living with psychosocial disabilities. 

    They made the call at a research engagement meeting held in Ibadan, where mental health experts, caregivers, community groups, policy makers, traditional leaders and government representatives among others gathered to deepen public understanding of psychosocial disorders and promote more inclusive approaches to care.

    The event, a close out session for a research and intervention effort also provided an atmosphere of gratitude as beneficiaries of the Support Comprehensive Care and Empowerment for Persons Living with Psychosocial Disability in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUCCEED Africa intervention) to reflect on the impact of the project in supporting people with psychosocial disabilities.

    Peer researcher with the SUCCEED Project, Bisola Oladele, said the project, implemented in four African countries, supported up to 65 participants in Oyo state through livelihood tools, empowerment and community-based rehabilitation. 

    She noted that many beneficiaries who once depended on others or begged for survival are now working and able to fend for themselves.

    Oladele explained that psychosocial disabilities encompass conditions that affect mental health, influencing how individuals think, feel and interact with others, noting that although millions silently struggle with these challenges, living with a psychosocial disability does not equate to a life without hope. 

    She said the initiative is being implemented across four African countries: Sierra Leone, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, with oversight from its headquarters in London, United Kingdom.

    She explained that the Nigeria chapter of the SUCCEED Project focuses on developing a community-based rehabilitation model, designed to empower individuals living with psychosocial disabilities to regain stability, independence and dignity. 

    According to her, the model strengthens family and community support structures, improves access to care and promotes reintegration rather than isolation. 

    As the intervention winds down in Nigeria, Oladele emphasized the importance of sustaining public engagement and awareness to ensure that the impact of the project continues beyond its official lifespan.

    Also speaking, Project supervisor, Dr Tolulope Orotoye, explained that the initiative is driven by a collaboration between SUCCEED Africa, which leads the research, and ASIDO Foundation, the implementing partner responsible for community recruitment and support delivery. 

    She said although the project is winding down, continuity is assured through trained PHC workers, community stakeholders and peer leaders who will maintain home visits, peer meetings and basic care.

    Dr. Orotoye who described psychosocial disability as a widespread but poorly understood health challenge affecting millions across Nigeria, disclosed that one in four Nigerians experiences a mental health concern in their lifetime, making it critical to prioritize awareness, access to care and early intervention. 

    She maintained that the organisation and it’s partners remain committed to promoting mental health, strengthening community engagement and advocating for better support for affected persons.

    Lauding the initiative and its sustainability plan, the Mental health Coordinator, Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Mrs Abodunrin Kehinde said the SUCCEED Africa project implementation will still be making impact even after the end of the project, noting that policy makers at the PHCB will continue to provide drugs, at affordable rate without any stock-out. 

    She also assures that the skilled staffs that have been trained in taking care of the patients will have regular training to update their skills and knowledge so as to be able to continually provide service for the patients unhindered.

    A beneficiary, Mrs Modinat Oyedele, thanked both SUCCEED Africa and ASIDO Foundation for the support, saying the empowerment tools and business funding provided have helped participants gain stability and community acceptance.

    Highpoint of the event was the panel discussions which focused on practical strategies for improving community awareness, reducing stigma, enhancing access to care and promoting inclusion for persons living with psychosocial disabilities. 

    Participants were encouraged to serve as mental health ambassadors within their communities by offering empathy, sharing accurate information and discouraging discrimination.

    The session concluded that addressing psychosocial disorders requires a holistic and individualized approach, combining psychological care, medical treatment, community support, social inclusion and economic empowerment. 

    They also emphasized that each patient’s experience is unique and must be approached with compassion, professionalism and tailored interventions. 

    The meeting ended with a collective commitment to continue advocacy efforts and ensure that people with psychosocial disabilities receive the dignity, support and opportunities they deserve.

  • Poor governance, poverty fueling insecurity in Northwest – Stakeholders

    Poor governance, poverty fueling insecurity in Northwest – Stakeholders

    Stakeholders in the campaign against violent extremism have identified poor governance, poverty, inequality, and weak community resilience as key drivers of worsening insecurity in the North-West.

    They cautioned that unless these root causes are urgently addressed, violent groups will continue to gain ground in the region.

    Chairman of the Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) National Steering Committee, Jaye Gaskiya, and the National Coordinator of the Geneva-based Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), Yetunde Adegoke, raised the concern yesterday in Kaduna at the close of a one-day media engagement on promoting peace narratives in the North-West.

    The forum, themed “Amplifying Voices for Peace: Media Partnerships in PCVE and Resilience-Building,” was convened in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and ActionAid Nigeria, with support from GCERF.

    Gaskiya, a veteran civil society leader, stressed that extremist groups thrive where governance is weak and citizens feel abandoned, calling for urgent reforms to restore trust and resilience in affected communities.

    “At the base of this crisis, the reason why violent extremist groups gain support and mobilise masses is simply the failure of governance,” he said.

    He listed rampant poverty, deepening inequality, collapsed education systems and historical grievances as factors fuelling radicalisation.

    “You have children being raised with no sense of future, no jobs, and no basic services. All it takes is a charismatic leader to emerge and mobilise them,” he added.

    The PAVE chairman stressed that deploying security forces alone will not solve the problem.

    “If our approach is simply law enforcement — deploy the police, deploy the military, while people still lack jobs, education, healthcare or housing, then we are wasting money,” he warned.

    He said peace could only be sustained if governance was strengthened at the grassroots, calling for credible local government elections and genuine autonomy for councils.

    “We are advocating for reforming local governance, strengthening local governments, and ensuring credible persons emerge from council elections,” he said.

    Gaskiya also urged regional collaboration among governors, noting that isolated state-level efforts would not deliver lasting solutions.

    On her part, Adegoke said GCERF, which has worked in Nigeria since 2016, focuses on building community resilience against extremist recruitment, especially among women and youth.

    “Our aim is to build the resilience of communities to prevent recruitment into violent extremist groups,” she explained.

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    She noted that GCERF provides grants to NGOs working in vulnerable communities and is scaling up interventions in the North-West in partnership with ONSA.

    According to her, the ongoing review of Nigeria’s Policy Framework and National Action Plan (PFNAP) presents a chance for a more systematic and coordinated response.

    “This is the beginning of a new phase. The media has a critical role in amplifying solutions, not just violent incidents,” she added.

    Both Adegoke and Gaskiya urged journalists to strengthen collaboration with civil society and frame narratives that counter extremist propaganda.

    “We want our relationship with the media to no longer be transactional but a partnership where we see violent extremism as a collective problem we must all address,” Gaskiya said.

  • Stakeholders seek urgent need for entrepreneurship skills among Nigerian youths 

    Stakeholders seek urgent need for entrepreneurship skills among Nigerian youths 

    Stakeholders from academia, the private sector, and civil society have reiterated the urgent need for young Nigerians to acquire entrepreneurship and employability skills, emphasising that formal education alone is no longer sufficient in a fast-evolving, technology-driven job market.

    This was the central theme at the conclusion of a three-week Employability Skills Training Programme and Job Fair in Oyo State, an initiative jointly organized by SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria and Romancepage Global, aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment through targeted skill development.

    In his goodwill message, the Oyo State Coordinator, National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Ilori Idowu emphasized the significance of the event as a platform to empower Nigerian youth through job placements, vocational training, and skill development.

    He highlighted the NDE’s core mission—to design and implement employment-generating programs. He praised the attendees for their proactive steps in acquiring skills necessary for today’s dynamic job market and commended partners like SOS Children’s Villages and Romanspage Global for their dedication to youth empowerment. 

    Particularly, he commended the organisers for emphasising both technical and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, which he desrcibed as vital tools for success and self-reliance in the workplace.

    To the participating youths, he offered words of encouragement, urging them to continue learning, stay confident, and pursue their ambitions with persistence. He also reminded them that the skills they have acquired are not just credentials but keys to unlocking career opportunities and building meaningful futures. 

    The Director, Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Ibadan, Professor Sherifat Abowaba who was represented by Mr Abayomi Akinola noted that entrepreneurship is a vital tool in the face of rising automation and artificial intelligence.

    He said “No machine will take creativity from you, no machine will do innovation for you. Entrepreneurship is the only skill automation cannot replace. It is the future of work.”

    He stressed that while AI might displace certain jobs, it also opens doors to new roles—most of which will require entrepreneurial thinking and flexibility. He also called for the reengineering of Nigeria’s education system to embed soft skills and career development at all levels, including the secondary school levels.

    The event attracted over 60 employers from various sectors, offering young people both exposure to potential employers and practical insights into workplace demands. 

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    Speaking on behalf of SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, the Programme Manager in Oyo State, Mr Gabriel Adajie highlighted the importance of viewing youth as key to national development.

    He said “We see young people as critical stakeholders in empowering families and driving economic growth. That’s why we’ve invested time and resources in their development through programmes like this.”

    He explained that the initiative is part of a broader Youth Development Programme launched in 2023 in support of the Oyo State Government’s youth empowerment agenda, adding that the organization partnered with Romancepage Global, known for its job readiness training, to enhance the employability of the state’s youth.

    Adajie said, “Our goal is to help them achieve self-independence and long-term self-reliance.”

    In a keynote remarks, Director of Strategy, Partnerships for 1million Teachers, Oluwaseyi Anifowoshe stressed the critical role of employers in shaping future-ready talents and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets.

    He said, “Entrepreneurship is the soul of today’s world. Young people must be encouraged to create, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to society, It is essential that young people get passionate about entrepreneurship. We must begin to focus our attention on young people.”

    Anifowoshe however called for greater government and corporate support to create enabling environments for young entrepreneurs to thrive.

    Also speaking, Managing Partner at Romanspage Global, Samuel Omomo, emphasized that the training responded to growing complaints from employers about the lack of critical thinking skills that fits into the workplace environment as well as a deep-seated need to prepare youths for real-world challenges.

    The programme, which featured direct engagement between job seekers and employers, sought to bridge the gap between academic qualifications and workplace readiness. 

    Omomo said, “Employers constantly report that graduates lack critical workplace skills—team building, time management, ICT proficiency, even basic tools like Microsoft Word. Our goal is to fix that. I myself am a product of a similar training and it transformed my career.”

    Omomo further called on the government to scale up partnerships with private initiatives and incorporate professional skills development into national curricula, including for non-university bound youths.

    “This is not just about university graduates. Technicians, artisans, and other informal sector workers must also be trained. Everyone needs employability skills, regardless of educational background.

    “One of the things we have been advocating for is the integration of professional and soft skills into the school curricula. To some extent, government has been yielding but we need to do more by partnering with private collaborators so that it can cascade down fast and it can bridge the routine skill that people lack from the four walls of the classrooms.”

    Over 120 young Nigerians participated in the event, undergoing intensive sessions focused on life skills and workplace readiness.

    Several attendees had the opportunity to interact with potential employers, some of whom showed interest in hiring immediately—underscoring the value of hands-on training over theory-based learning.

    One participant told The Nation she now feels equipped to enter the workforce. “I’m not just prepared on paper anymore. I can walk into any workplace and start contributing from day one,” she said with confidence.

  • Stakeholders assess SDG progress at southeast regional consultation in Enugu

    Stakeholders assess SDG progress at southeast regional consultation in Enugu

    As Nigeria prepares for its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), key stakeholders from the southeast have evaluated progress and challenges in the region, emphasising strategic collaboration to accelerate development.

    The southeast regional consultation, held in Enugu, was convened by the Special Assistant on Media to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs. 

    The forum provided a crucial platform for dialogue, peer review, and planning, with a focus on inclusive and evidence-based solutions.

    In his opening remarks, Enugu State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, stressed the importance of recognizing achievements while addressing gaps in SDG implementation. 

    He highlighted the region’s potential to drive national progress.

    “The SDGs are a call to action for every region, community, and individual. The South-East, with its strong human capital, entrepreneurial spirit, and resilience, has a crucial role to play in accelerating SDG implementation in Nigeria,” Onyia said.

    While acknowledging improvements in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, Onyia urged stakeholders to prioritize marginalized communities and adopt innovative solutions for sustainable development.

    Delivering the keynote address, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, represented by Dr. Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, emphasized the significance of an inclusive and participatory approach in preparing Nigeria’s 2025 VNR.

    “Effective VNRs rely on inclusive, broad-based, and participatory processes. That is why we are engaging with diverse stakeholders across Nigeria to ensure a ‘whole-of-government and society’ approach to SDG implementation,” she stated.

    She also noted that the 2025 VNR aligns with global commitments following the adoption of the “Pact for the Future” at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in September 2024.

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    “The Pact reaffirms world leaders’ commitment to bold, accelerated, and transformative actions to fast-track SDG achievement,” she added.

    Dr. Babatunde Ipaye, Lead Consultant for Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, underscored the need for collaboration in developing actionable strategies for sustainable development. 

    Similarly, Enugu State’s SDG Focal Person, Engineer Onyinye Akubuilo, praised the state government’s socioeconomic policies, attributing them to the progress in SDG implementation.

    The consultation, themed “Advancing Sustainable, Inclusive, Science and Evidence-Based Solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Its Sustainable Development Goals for Leaving No One Behind,” drew participants from government agencies, academia, youth groups, civil society organizations, and people with disabilities.

    The insights gathered will shape Nigeria’s 2025 VNR, contributing to national efforts to achieve the SDGs and ensuring that no one is left behind.

  • FG, stakeholders move to standardise biofortified provitamin A maize release

    FG, stakeholders move to standardise biofortified provitamin A maize release

    To combat malnutrition in Nigeria, experts and stakeholders have emphasized the need for a standardized policy governing the release of biofortified maize enriched with provitamin A. 

    Stakeholders voiced their concerns in Abuja during a Validation Workshop for the Development of Micronutrient Standards for the Provitamin A and Non-Provitamin A Maize Variety Release in Nigeria, organized by HarvestPlus in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

    The workshop on setting standards for the market release of biofortified Provitamin A maize, in line with global best practices, brought together experts from the Variety Release Committee, the Seed Council, the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria, and leading universities.

    The goal was to review and refine existing draft standards to ensure only maize varieties with the required beta-carotene levels are classified as provitamin A maize. 

    Yusuf Dollah Fouad, Country Manager for HarvestPlus Nigeria, underscored the importance of biofortification in addressing nutritional deficiencies, stressing that through conventional breeding, staple crops are enhanced with essential vitamins and minerals, making them more nutritious. 

    Noting that biofortification is not strange to Nigeria, Fouad pointed out that the country is a global leader in crop biofortification, with widely cultivated varieties such as vitamin A-rich maize, cassava, and sweet potatoes, as well as iron- and zinc-enriched millet.

    In collaboration with the National Cereal Research Institute, efforts are also underway to introduce zinc-fortified rice varieties this year, he revealed. 

    Fouad highlighted the importance of ensuring rural communities have access to these nutrient-rich crops, saying, “While fortified packaged foods are available in urban centers, many Nigerians, especially in rural areas, rely on what they grow on their farms

    “But by cultivating biofortified varieties, farmers not only secure nutritious food for their families but also improve their income.

    “Besides, the crops are climate-smart, high-yielding, and resilient, making them attractive to farmers beyond their nutritional benefits. 

    “However, one major challenge in the adoption of provitamin A maize is the absence of standardized guidelines for its release”.

    He, however, warned that without clear standards, ordinary yellow maize could be falsely sold as vitamin A maize, misleading consumers and undermining efforts to tackle vitamin A deficiency.

    To address this, he explained that HarvestPlus, in partnership with government agencies and research institutions, has been working on a policy document that sets specific beta-carotene benchmarks for classifying maize as vitamin A maize. 

    Nuhu Kilishi, Director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling malnutrition. 

    He cited the launch of the Nutrition 774 Initiative, a nationwide program approved by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at improving nutrition at all levels of government.

    Kilishi also emphasized the need to expand biofortification to other staple crops, including cereals, tubers, and vegetables.

    According to him, the government is planning to distribute improved seeds to farmers at no cost while ensuring sufficient funding to support large-scale production.

    Additionally, he said cooperative farming clusters will be developed to enable the mass cultivation and processing of biofortified crops, ensuring broader access to nutritious food nationwide. 

    Olusoji Olufajo, chairman of the National Variety Release Committee, stressed the importance of continuously updating standards for provitamin A maize. 

    “Research is constantly evolving. New maize varieties contain higher levels of provitamin A, so existing standards must be revised to keep up with advancements,” he stressed

    The validation of the new Power45 maize varieties ensures they meet the required beta-carotene threshold to qualify as provitamin A maize, he noted, adding that the validation process also enables researchers and stakeholders to track progress, maintain consistency, and ensure biofortification efforts remain effective.

    Prof. Shehu Ado, a Research Professor at Ahmadu Bello University and chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee for Crop Registration and Release, highlighted the significance of developing nutrient-enriched crop varieties. 

    He pointed out that vitamin A deficiency remains a serious public health concern, particularly affecting children and lactating mothers.

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    Insufficient vitamin A intake can impair cognitive development, negatively impacting children’s education and overall well-being. 

    To help farmers and consumers easily identify biofortified maize, Ado explained that provitamin A maize is naturally deep orange in color, similar to carrots, due to its high beta-carotene content.

    Establishing a grading and labeling system will ensure it is distinguished from ordinary maize, preventing misrepresentation in the market. 

    According to findings, Provitamin A is like a raw material that the body converts into vitamin A when needed, though it is not the same as vitamin A, but it turns into it once certain foods are eaten for good eyesight, strong immunity, and healthy skin.

    On the other hand, biofortification means to naturally increase the nutrients in food crops through plant breeding instead of adding nutrients after harvest.

  • Stakeholders raise concerns over nation’s vaccination $430m funding gap

    Stakeholders raise concerns over nation’s vaccination $430m funding gap

    Critical stakeholders have sounded an urgent alarm over Nigeria’s widening immunization funding gap, a threat to the nation’s health and well-being.

    The concern follows reports that Nigeria is among the countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children, increasing the risk of stunted growth and deformities.

    Adding to the crisis, parts of the 2023 and 2024 appropriated funds for vaccination remain unreleased, raising concerns among health officials and stakeholders.

    Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, highlighted the staggering $200 million annual shortfall for immunization programs, describing the situation as “unacceptable.”

    Speaking at a multi-stakeholder forum on optimizing immunization financing in Nigeria, organized by the Vaccine Network for Disease Control (VNDC) in Abuja on Wednesday, Yakubu noted that the shortfall could escalate to $430 million if critical donor agencies withdraw their contributions.

    “We cannot afford to leave our citizens vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.

    “The public sector must do more to increase their financial contribution to immunization programs. Relying solely on international donors is not sustainable.”

    According to Yakubu, despite significant progress in recent years, the country still faces major challenges in achieving universal immunization coverage.

    He suggested overcoming these challenges through an enhanced public sector contribution to the vaccination fund, not only by raising budget allocations but also through prompt payments and the release of vaccination counterpart funds.

    Yakubu emphasized that this approach is the only way to encourage donor development partners to continue their contributions without experiencing donor fatigue.

    Furthermore, he stressed that for sustainability, the Legislature must address the funding gap with necessary legislation to mandate the public sector to institutionalize self-sufficiency in vaccine production and to ensure sustainable storage and distribution infrastructure.

    He pledged the readiness of the Budget Office to work with stakeholders to address the funding gap and ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of Nigeria’s immunization programs.

    “We will work tirelessly to ensure our immunization programs receive the funding they need to protect our citizens.

    “We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to get this right.”

    Sen. Ibrahim Oloriegbe, former Chairman of the 9th Senate Committee on Health, emphasized that vaccination is both an economic and security imperative, highlighting the importance of addressing economic constraints and revenue generation to support healthcare initiatives.

    He argued that by investing more in vaccination, fewer resources would be needed to care for children affected by preventable diseases, allowing funds to be allocated to other economic purposes.

    He also noted that national productivity would improve, as quality manpower time spent caring for deformed children could be better utilized.

    Oloriegbe stressed the need to enhance the nation’s cold chain system for vaccine distribution, delivery, and waste management while calling for the reactivation of the biovaccine initiative, which failed to launch despite the allocation of N10 billion in 2020 that could not be utilized until the budget expiration.

    Furthermore, he challenged the 10th National Assembly to enact proactive legislation that would not only increase appropriations for primary healthcare but also extricate it from the Service Wide Vote, positioning it as a first-line charge.

    In his opening remarks, Senator Tony Nwoye, Senate Committee Chairman on Health, in his opening remarks also underscored the importance of optimizing funding to safeguard public health.

    “Immunization is a cornerstone of public health, saving millions of lives annually. Yet, Nigeria still struggles with vaccine-preventable diseases due to inadequate funding,” he noted.

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    He also called on the government to release counterpart funding for immunization programs, essential for sustaining Gavi support, ensuring vaccine availability, strengthening health systems, and protecting vulnerable populations.

    “Releasing counterpart funding demonstrates Nigeria’s dedication to its people’s health and well-being. It’s time to turn commitments into action.”

    Chika Offor, Founder of Vaccine Network for Disease Control said the reality of the situation is well known to the organization that currently operates in seven states, with a focus on immunization, that forms a critical aspect of its work.

    “We need funding to purchase vaccines, which is why we’re here today to discuss the way forward. As you saw from the pictures outside, we’re making a positive impact, with girls receiving the HPV vaccine.

    “However, this wouldn’t be possible without financial support, as vaccines can’t be bought with sand,” she said.

  • Economy: Stakeholders urge boldness to foster growth, development

    Economy: Stakeholders urge boldness to foster growth, development

    Stakeholders have called on individuals, businesses and all tiers of government to be intentional leaders in order to achieve socioeconomic growth and development of the country.

    Besides, they said traits of an audacious leader include visionary thinking, risk-taking, innovative, calm, resilience, building strong teams.

    They spoke at a Leadership and Economic Summit in Lagos last Thursday.

    The summit organised by a consulting firm, St Racheal’s People, had as its theme, “Economic Prosperity: The Secrets of Audacious Leaders.”

    The former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the keynote speaker described leadership as a sacrifice and what a leader did with it was more important.

    According to him, leadership is not a title or an office to occupy. “People get into public office and get carried away; you have to wake up every morning to ask yourself, “How am I making a difference? “How am I achieving my objectives of helping my people get out of their sorry state? What am I doing right? Where are the gaps?

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    “You need to have the inner still voice in you consistently questioning what is my purpose and how am I delivering them? “Set yourself minimum goals and do everything to achieve 50, 60 per cent,” he said.

    The former governor said also, that good governance was not enough; rather, sustainability was much more important. According to him, it is easier to destroy rather than to build.

    “As a politician, one major priority you have is succession; success without succession is almost going to end up being a failure. This is because you can do all the fantastic things in the world and lay the foundation, but no matter how good you are in office, you cannot finish the job; new issues will arise,” he stressed.

    “We need to have among ourselves, the sense of duty, responsibility, rights; we seem to be concerned about rights than responsibilities these days. We as leaders need to be personal examples because when people see you say one thing and do another, then they believe that is the way the country rolls. We now suffer a huge deficit of trust which was not the case in the 60s and 70s.” Fayemi concluded.

    Also, Prof. Ndubisi Nwokoma, the Chairman, Advisory Board, Centre for Economic Policy Analysis and Research, University of Lagos, said time management was lacking in the country.

    Nwokoma described time as an asset that was useful in the development of any country. According to him, Nigeria is still battling issues that would have been solved many years ago including power.

    “One thing that is very important is how do you manage time? The currency everybody has including Aliko Dangote, the gateman and bricklayer, is time; we all have 24 hours. Now what happens to you is how you manage it; make best of it, no matter your background.

    “Most of the time, the country keep on doing the wrong things and keep blaming the past; a particular government will come into office and blame the past government. We keep on wasting time, blaming previous governments and not make any significant difference,” Nwokoma said.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Chief Economist at Development Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Joseph Nnanna, who spoke on the country’s macroeconomic landscape, the trends and insights, said the policies of high interest rates; exchange rate; subsidy removal; and power reform had impacted negatively on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). “The high interest rate environment has resulted in high finance costs for MSMEs and declining profitability.

    “They should seek out various funding options such as concessional loans, grants, investors, among others, available to support MSMEs. Also, invest in employee training and development to increase productivity and innovation. MSMEs should stay informed about market trends and adjust business strategies to remain competitive.”

    In his remarks, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Prof. Olarotimi Coker, urged Nigerians to take responsibility for their health in the face of the challenges in the country. Coker works as the Professor of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine, Lagos State University, Ikeja.

    “It is your responsibility to integrate all the dimensions of health into your life including your mental health. Maximise your abilities; know your creative potentials; cope with the normal stresses of life and there is abundant stress in Nigeria. Also, you must be seen to be coping because if you are not, you will not be productive and effective,” he said.

  • Stakeholders mull sustainable packaging in Nigeria

    Stakeholders mull sustainable packaging in Nigeria

    • By Afolabi Idowu

    In honour of World Environment Day, stakeholders across Nigeria gathered to discuss the importance of a circular economy and policies for the nation’s environmental sustainability in Lagos recently. The event featured key stakeholders from Tetra Pak West Africa, and Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) who spoke on the challenges and solutions to environmental sustainability in Nigeria.

    Currently Nigerians consume on average 100 million units of packaging. There is an imminent environmental crisis on packaging format pollution. If not recycled, the longer various packaging formats disintegrate, it could pose a threat to the health of the people, damage vital ecosystems, and undermine the country’s well-being.

    According to the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, PET takes roughly 500 years to disintegrate; and Beverage Cartons mostly made of paper and a small component of plastic and aluminium take about five years, while it takes glass thousands or even millions of years to go through the process of devitrification.

    To deepen sustainability conversations and in commemoration of the World Environmental Day, The Greenpreneurs, a Green Economy and Climate Exclusive programme, in partnership with FBRA recently gathered key industry stakeholders to discuss the importance of sustainability and circular economy. The event featured key stakeholders from Tetra Pak West Africa, Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA), Nestle, among others.

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    Speaking on the importance of sustainability, Marketing and Portfolio Director for Tetra Pak West Africa, Clement Sunday, reiterated that it is necessary for everyone to be involved in climate change to ensure a sustainable environment for all, while also stating the organisation has increased its environmental footprint in turn doubling its collection rate.

    “At Tetra Pak, we are working on building the circular economy in Nigeria and helping to close the loop. So, we are working together with our partners, first to raise awareness, to let people know that beverage cartons are recyclable.”

    “Tetra Paks focus is to provide access to safe and nutritious food for billions of people around the planet, in a way that protects the planet. The principles of circularity at the core of its operation with its value chain approach and partnerships driving this.”

    “Circularity is a journey; it is not something one partner can do alone, so we collaborate across the entire value chain. We have partners that can recycle all beverage cartons that are being produced in the country, about 11,000 tons. Together with our biggest partner in Sub- Saharan Africa, Chivita Hollandia we are already recycling locally.

    Recently, we signed an investment with a new collector to increase recycling rates of beverage cartons in Nigeria.” he concluded.